A Heist fit for a Hutt

[Skeang]

The Rush made it to hutt space quite quickly, Skeang was almost shamed by how much longer it would have taken in his Headhunter. In no time Skeang could smell the polluted air of Nal Hutta and the duo had landed. It reminded Skeang of a time that for him at least was not too long ago. Part of him missed not having to organize a group of loose cannons, but he knew what he was doing was good for him and the galaxy. Skeang asked Lents,
"So which one of us is going to talk to Hurri? If I recall you were the one who spoke to him last time. Ill gladly come along but diplomacy isn't my strongest trait."

[Eth Erzin]

Lents peered out of the viewport of the 'Rush at Hurri's palace, still distinct even after three years. However, an unusual sight met his eyes. The palace was coughing up smoke like a dying volcano, and there was frantic activity everywhere. A YT-1250 blasted out of the docking bay and nearly smashed right into the 'Rush. "Woah! Looks like somebody's in a hurry." He watched as the underbelly of the YT-1250 passed within meters of the viewport.
"I'd bet my lightsaber that that YT-1250 is connected to this."
Lents brought his own VT-49 down into the landing bay, which was unsettled, but not in as near a chaotic state as the palace. He exited and headed towards the entry doors, passing a small docking fee into the hands of the operator, who looked like he had just taken a boot to the head.
As he and Skeang walked the short distance to the palace, he whispered to Skeang. "I'm going as Eth again, we'll represent the neo-Jedi, as they have more in common with the Hutts."
They entered the askew double-doors of the palace and approached Hurri's throne. A profoundly upset Hutt glared at them and shouted something in huttese. The protocol droid translated.
"The great and honorable Hurri wants to know what is it you want at a time like this."
"Our most noble Hutt friend, it is I, Eth Erzin. Perhaps you remember me? I passed through this area a few years ago and brought those pirates to your Justice." Lents bowed onto one knee and motioned for Skeang to do the same.
The Hutt nodded slowly, then belched out something else. "The great and honorable Hurri does in fact remember Eth Erzin and Skeang, and is thankful for the work you did then. But you still have not explained what you want at this moment."
"We wish to know if there is anything we can do for Hurri to strengthen our relationship and possibly grow into a partnership. Perhaps aid him in whatever happened just now?" Lents motioned towards the still-scrambling palace workers.
Hurri said something long, and the protocol droid took a moment to process the string. "The great and honorable Hurri wants to know who it is you represent, that you want to build a friendship with the Hutts. Also, this business is being taken care of by another respectable bounty hunter, commissioned mere moments before you arrived, but one with whom Hurri has a stronger relationship than Eth Erzin and Skeang, who, he would like to add, worked but one job, and three years ago to boot."
Lents stood up slowly. "I understand, most wise and powerful Lord Hurri, that our appearance is sudden, but to assure you of our sincerity, we will take on any job you wish, no matter how large scale or dangerous. As for who we represent, we come from an enclave of anti-Imperial fighters." He held up a hand. "Not Jedi, mind you, but self-styled neo-Jedi, whose methods we think can synchronize with those of the Hutts for mutual benefit. For is it not true that the Empire has always put much pressure and restriction on Hutts ruling the territory that is rightfully theirs? With the combined might of the neo-Jedi and the Hutts, we can put up a resistance strong enough to stand up against the Empire--as I said before, for great mutual benefit."
The Hutt stared back at the Omwati and the Gen'dai long and intensely. Lents licked his lips, hoping that whatever was going through the Hutt's head was to their favor.
After a long, tense while, the Hutt spoke, and the droid translated.
"The great and honorable Hurri thinks you bring up a very interesting proposition, but he isn't entirely convinced yet that you don't merely want to use the power of the Hutts to your own end, or even for that matter how much power your neo-Jedi do possess." Lents glanced sideways at Skeang. Lents actually didn't know how strong the neo-Jedi had become. "But he is yet open to convincing, and will talk further if you can successfully turn in job-ID 45ETMN-602-B, available at the bounty terminal, within four standard days."
Lents bowed repeatedly. "On behalf of the neo-Jedi, we thank you, most gracious and fair Hurri." He pulled on Skeang's arm and whispered "That went surprisingly well, considering how bad of a mood he's clearly in. Let's leave quickly before we overstay our welcome."
They exited the palace and headed to the nearby bounty terminal in the cantina.

[Skeang]

Skeang had kept his mouth shut amazing at the amount of diplomacy Lents was capable of. Upon leaving Hurri's palace Skeang spoke to Lents.
"So we gotta compete with some bounty hunter for whatever we are about to do? Sounds troublesome, but the reputation that the neo-jedi have earned in hutt space might play to our advantage.
Skeang stopped talking momentarily realizing that Lents probably had no idea just how bad the neo-jedi could be when left unsupervised.
".. We are known for not leaving too many survivors or witnesses and it is exactly why we don't have too many visitors on Dantooine."
Skeang hurried into the cantina rushing to the bounty terminal, quickly finding 45ETMN-602-B the terminal spoke the details of the bounty to Skeang and Lents.
"The great and noble Hurri the hutt has come into trouble as of recent with a former imperial general moving into a large estate too close to one of Hurri's warehouses on Nar Shaddaa. This despicable general, Jerrik Caroon, has encroached on Hurri's land, with a band of mercenaries he had come in contact with in his military career. We have reason to believe they group has stolen numerous valuable artifacts from Hurri's warehouse. The objective for this mission is to enter Jerrik's compound, and take back any and all of the artifacts that have been stolen by him and his men. On top of returning what is rightfully Hurri's the bounty hunter who wishes to claim credit for this must also use intimidation to ensure that Jerrik will leave Nar Shaddaa forever. It is required that one does not kill Jerrik for the purpose of keeping imperial troops from investigating into this matter. Multiple bounty hunters will be sent on this mission but only one hunter can claim the prize. To claim the reward a hunter must bring back the artifacts stolen from Hurri, and the deed to the compound that Jerrik currently resides in."
Skeang mulled over the bounty momentarily trying to figure out the best way to go about it. Knowing that intimidating some former general and his men wasn't a problem unless the other hunters got to him first. Speaking to Lents,
"Ok Le.. err Eth, we have two objectives here, and at least one bit of competition. I think we gotta worry most about the other hunters, stealing the artifacts or killing Jerrik before we get a chance to get what we need. Lets get a move on"

(Feel free to move us to the Nar Shaddaa in your next post if you want)

[Skeang]

(Occ: I figured I would post this here, if you want it to be its own thread let me know)

Skeang lifted the still unconscious body of Caroon over his shoulder, along with some of the artifacts that had been taken. Handing several to Lents he then left his new blade in the Rush, realizing how troublesome it could prove if Hurri recognized it. It felt good to be active like this, Skeang knew he was more needed to organize the neo-jedi but if it weren't for occasional missions like this he would go crazy. Rather than heading to turn in the bounty Skeang barged directly into Hurri's palace, he had no need for the reward as swaying the hutts to his favor would be reward enough. The two entered Hurri's chamber and stood before him. Laying down the plunder from the compound and motioning Lents to do the same, Skeang eagerly awaited to hear Hurri's response.

[Eth Erzin]

Ooc: sorry for the delay, but I'm settled in Hawaii for the week now and I'm all good

Lents threw down the various relics he had collected and spoke in a commanding tone few would dare take with a Hutt. "Great and honorable Hutt Hurri, as you see before you, we bring you Jerrik Carron and all the relics owed to your renowned estate. It is no secret that the formidable Skeang and myself use the arcane powers of the Force to accomplish our goals, and we took your generous offer for the bounty of Caroon against the armies of other hunters as an act of good faith between you and your people an ourselves--to the end of a potential allegiance."
Hurri leaned forward, clearly intrigued by these uncommon words. He belched out something that his protocol droid translated to "Do go on."
"To reiterate what I said before, we represent an anti-Imperial faction called the Neo-Jedi, and I think you'll find we have quite a lot in common..."

(To be continued)

[Eth Erzin]

"We do have common goals and communication with the hidden Jedi, but do note that we are in fact quite distinct." Lents gestured and slowly paced back and forth, trying to make absolutely certain Hurri wouldn't misinterpret any of his words.
"We do not have any interest in encroaching upon your authority or your space in this sector of the galaxy. Our only interest is aiding the Jedi in taking back Coruscant, the core worlds, and those others explicitly under current Imperial control. We neo-Jedi do use the force in ways regular Jedi do not--occasionally in ways some might even denounce; but we all do agree that what the Sith do is enslave and oppress and misuse their power to the end of what can only be called evil.
That being said, we are a small faction, and cannot stand up to the might of the Sith army alone, even in tandem with the hidden Jedi, which is why we come with this offering--along with our plea, to consider aligning yourself and your might to end the Empire."

Lents waited a tense moment as Hurri mulled over his words. The giant hutt garbled out something slowly and deliberately. The protocol droid translated. "We hutts are businessmen at heart, and have been spited as ruthless and vicious by all in the inner rims of the galaxy for thousands of years now. Sith, Jedi--Empire, Republic--what difference does it make to a hutt like me when in the end both have interest only in shutting down my operations and killing my agents inconsiderately?"

Lents had expected an answer like that, and responded. "Were you to aid us and the hidden Jedi in demolishing the Empire and reinstating a government not born in tyranny, we would work with the hutts--not against them. Let bygones be bygones, as it were, and leave all of hutt space to its own devices. Is it not true that in the past three years, Imperial forces have scourged your planets in acts of aggression that if committed by any other entity would constitute clear acts of war." This was true, but Lents left out the part where is was the Jedi that the Empire was searching for in doing this. "We offer to combine our might and knowledge with yours to do only what is just, and repay the Sith for the harm they have caused you and your business."
Lents stood firmly, hands clutched together behind his back as he waited for Hurri to speak. He did so, and it was relayed "You make a very enticing proposition, neo-Jedi Eth Erzin. I will not say yes at this moment, but I will send my most trusted agent with you and your companion Skeang to more fully understand the neo-Jedi and advise me on whether this would be a wise move or not."
Bowing, Lents said "thank you, Great and Honorable Hurri--your consideration is in itself a great honor demonstrative of your generosity and intelligence." He turned around and whispered to Skeang, gulping "I hope your camp is ready for inspection."

[Rogue]

The Klatooinian, Undraka Stog, stood at Hurri's side observing the two bounty-hunter neo-Jedi. His personal thoughts leaned away from allegiance with them--they were quite powerful, they could turn on him and use Hurri's might only for their own gain. Undraka didn't trust easily, except for his master Hurri. But Hurri, in all of his infinite wisdom, would make the right choice. If Hurri decided that working with them was a good idea, then it was.
It was not long before Hurri called upon Undraka to be his eyes and ears in the presence of the neo-Jedi, and Undraka would do that to the best of his abilities. He bowed before his master "As you will, grand master Hurri. I won't fail you." He then approached the omwati and the gen'dai, waiting for them to take him to their vessel.

[Skeang]

Skeang whispered back to Lents as they left Hurri's compound, the Klatooinian following close behind.
"The camp is functional and not a disaster area its the neo-jedi I am worried about."
Skeang crossed his fingers hoping the camp was in better shape than when he left. Laying into a neo-jedi like he had before they left usually kept people in check but this was the first time that him and Sarvina had both been away from the camp in a long time. On top of that with the message he had sent for all the neo-jedi to locate the fake jedi that had framed the jedi for the bothans Skeang knew there was a chance this could go poorly. Entering the ship with Lents and Hurri's helper. As they sat down Skeang noticed a message from Sarvina that he hadn't seen before,
"One of our missions hasn't returned, no response from them. People here are nervous, I'm not sending more until you get back here."
Skeang tried to slyly show Lents the message without there new follower seeing.

[Eth Erzin]

Lents read the message and grimaced. On the one hand, it seemed like most of the neo-Jedi would be there when they arrived, and in a pretty calm state--however, missing field agents was never a desirable occurrence. "Alright then well let's just get to the camp and get this all sorted out," he said, referring to both Skeang's and the Klatooinian's goals. "I don't think I ever caught your name."
"Undraka Stog. I know you are Eth and Skeang. Personally, I'm distrustful of you and your neo-Jedi, but I will keep an open mind as the honorable lord Hurri has commanded me."
"Well I'm glad you haven't written us off completely," Lents said without mirth.
As they walked, they arrived at the Illuminant Rush, in the hangar that was still being repaired from--whatever had happened there. "All aboard, let's get this ship sailing." He gestured for Undraka to get on first, and entered last after Skeang. When they had settled in the pilots' seats, he primed the engines and blasted off into the Nal Hutta atmosphere.

As one last thought crossed his mind, he quickly tapped out a message to Sarvina at the camp, saying

Until further notice, I am a neo-Jedi, and my name is Eth Erzin. That's how the Hutts know me, and we're bringing a representative to the camp to cement the allegiance.